Robert M. Blum

/My focus

With more than three decades of experience, I focus my practice in the following areas.

Commercial Litigation

I represent construction, energy, vegetation management, financial services and retail sales clients in contract disputes and liability and indemnity claims related to contract performance. I am deeply involved in the defense of liability and indemnity claims related to major wildfires in California and the western United States, and more recently in other parts of the country.

Construction Claims and Litigation

I represent contractors and owners in construction claims and litigation, including claims on major construction projects—such as airports, highways, nuclear and fossil fuel power plants, water treatment projects and commercial buildings. I also handle claims on smaller projects—such as residential and retail construction.

Lawyers’ Professional Responsibility

For years, I served as the general counsel of an AmLaw 100 law firm. I use that experience in my representation of lawyers and law firms concerning conflicts of interest and partnership disputes and other clients re privilege and legal malpractice issues.

Bankruptcy

I represent creditors in bankruptcy litigation—such as preferences, offsets, disputes concerning property of the estate and relief from the automatic stay.

/Representative experience

• Represented international specialty apparel retailer in contract disputes and claims and litigation related to store construction, bankruptcy of vendors and insolvency of shopping centers and landlords
• Represented independent energy producer in warranty, indemnity and contract disputes with suppliers of power generation equipment, and in supply contracts with public utilities
• Represented contractor in defense of property damage, insurance subrogation, resource loss and fire suppression claims arising from major wildfires in California and other parts of the United States
• Represented law firms and individual attorneys in legal malpractice lawsuits and claims of breach of professional duties and conflicts of interest; counseled and represented numerous attorneys concerning compliance with professional responsibility obligations 
• Defended contractor accused of fraud in construction of runways and taxiways at airports in California and Colorado; represented contractor in qui tam litigation, contract claims and government investigations
• Represented highway construction contractor in claims against state and federal contracting authorities related to projects in California, Washington, Arizona and Colorado
• Prosecuted extra work and changed conditions claims by construction contractors on nuclear and fossil fuel power plants, water treatment plants and commercial and residential buildings
• Defended large California mutual benefit corporation in litigation concerning compliance with laws governing proxies and election procedures for its board of directors
• Represented creditors in bankruptcy of major investor-owned utility
• Defended bank accused of wrongful conduct in lending and banking operations
• Represented bank in litigation alleging violations of California unfair competition law

/Looking ahead

Legislative, regulatory, and insurance industry responses to wildfires are changing risk profiles and advisable legal and business strategies for companies involved with electric power generation, transmission, and distribution.

/Insights

Bob is a frequent lecturer and instructor in continuing legal education programs on issues of professional responsibility (e.g., conflicts of interest, conflict waivers and fee agreements, duties of confidentiality and multi-jurisdictional law practices).